When we were sailing down the west coast of Italy we regularly saw a train chugging down the coast, disappearing into the cliffs before reappearing further south. It looked like an amazing train journey so when we were considering a few days in Rome I investigated, and in my infinite wisdom thought it would be fun to take a 10 hour train journey with 2 kids, particularly as the train actually went on the ferry across the Messina Straits.
It was cheaper than flying and no charge for extra bags! I just didn't really think through the 7:26 departure before booking. Neither did I consider how to get from Catania back to Ragusa when we arrived after the last bus back home. In the end this forced our hand to book a hire car which I am sure we will use over the next month to explore some of Sicily that we would not have otherwise seen!
So, an early night on Thursday with a 5:30 alarm call. We figured we needed to leave at 6:30 despite it only being a 10 minute walk to the station as we could very easily be extremely slow when relying on 2 kids to carry part of our large selection of luggage. In the end we were there by 6:45 and had a little while to hang around, but better this way round than too late!
I'm not sure what exactly I was expecting from the train but perhaps something a little more comfortable for a 10 hour journey! For a start our seats were either side of an aisle instead of opposite each other across the table, not such a big deal as we just sat opposite the kids and agreed we'd ask anybody who had booked these seats to move so that they weren't sat opposite 7 and 9 year olds. However it was a little uncomfortable asking this as the seat we had actually booked was broken, that said I think the others who agreed to swap preferred the broken seat to sitting opposite somebody else's kids for 10 hours! The second problem was the heat. It was like a sauna and it was making both Patrick and I actually feel ill. There was a window we could have opened, however as most of the native Italians were still sat in Puffa Jackets we felt as if we couldn't!
Finally after a very long day we reached the bottom of Italy, where the kids watched eagerly as the train was manoeuvred onto the Ferry.
We then had a brief leg stretch, enjoying the view of Sicily before heading back to the train.
Another hour or so and we arrived at Catania. Now to find a bus to the airport where we would collect our hire car. I went to find out where the bus stop was while Patrick and the Kids guarded the luggage. As we started dragging our bags across the car park we were accosted by a taxi driver offering to take us to the Airport for 15 Euros. I took an executive decision and said yes! Anything not to have to carry the bags any further, plus Patrick was looking tired and I needed him to drive the 1 1/2 hours journey to Marina di Ragusa. The taxi ride was somewhat scary as he weaved his way through rush hour Catania Traffic and I was glad to arrive in one piece! We were contemplating whether to stop for food at Wood Café before continuing our journey or whether to just get back ASAP. In the end the decision was made for us as it was shut so on we went. It was quite an accomplishment getting all the luggage into the cheapest car they had but we managed it, although I don't think any of us was particularly comfortable.
The kids were great, keeping quiet in the back while I gave directions to Patrick until we were on the road to Ragusa. Perhaps it was sheer terror or more likely the fact that I had threatened them with school all weekend if they argued while Patrick was getting used to the car, in the dark, on roads he doesn't know!
Eventually we arrived back, AJ was already asleep so all thoughts of going to the pizza place for food went out of the window as we grabbed the bare essentials and went to the boat. Luckily our lovely friend Lotty had bought us bread and milk so we had a quick feed of Tinned Ravioli and toast before throwing the kids into bed and quickly following their example!
 |
| Esmé happy to be home |
No comments:
Post a Comment